by Rachel | Uncategorized
It’s no secret that I <3 Taylor Swift. Maybe she’s not the best live performer or most diverse artist, but she writes catchy songs that are fun to sing and I don’t mind my students looking to her as a role model. There is no doubt that her music is the most frequently requested in my studio.
One of my favorite Taylor Swift songs is “The Best Day” — and that is the very song my student Jenna chose to record this past week. She’s been working very hard on it for the last couple of months, and I think she did a wonderful job! Take a listen:
It makes me so proud to hear my students’ practicing pay off, but not as proud as they are. I love playing back a recording after they have finished singing, and seeing their faces as they realize how great they sound. That’s one of the best parts of my job.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Most people might look at this picture and see an old piano and bench. That’s what my students saw…until I opened up the bench at the end of their lessons or music therapy sessions to reveal the hidden treasure they now look forward to each week:
That’s right…stickers. The $1.99 variety you find at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, or even the grocery store. Who knew that kids could be so easy to please?
“Sticker time” has been a part of my lessons and music therapy sessions for several years now, but only this summer did I think to put them in the piano bench (before, they were in a boring old expandable binder).
After the last piece has been played or the goodbye song has been sung, my students have the opportunity to choose a sticker from the bench and place it on that day’s date in their monthly calendar. And let me tell you, they don’t take their selections lightly; sticker time is serious business (well, as serious as anything involving stickers can be) to many of them.
It’s amazing how my students find such joy in something so simple, but I’m definitely not complaining. It’s the little things, you know?
by Rachel | Uncategorized
A funny thing happens when my students go back to school: they become more focused and dedicated musicians. Am I the only one who has noticed this?
Of course, that’s not to say my students are not focused and dedicated during the summer. But even I can admit that it’s easy to slack off a little bit in those three months, when life is just a little slower-paced and there are vacations and fun outdoor activities calling my name. There’s a definite transformation that takes place at the end of August, and I’m lovin’ it.
The link between school and improved performance at lessons is easy to understand. First of all, my students are back into a regular, structured routine. Practice time must now be built into their schedule, since they also have homework and extracurricular activities to squeeze in. I’m a lucky teacher in that most of my students’ parents are great about making sure practice is included in those tight schedules.
Secondly, the discipline my students learn at school is carried over to their lessons. They know that there are rewards (both intrinsic and extrinsic) for completing their schoolwork and performing to the best of their abilities in the classroom; they start to seek that same level of achievement musically, as well.
Third, I think there is also a little bit of peer competition at play (and I’m not complaining). Many of my students are classmates at school and know that they share the same piano or voice teacher. Now that they see each other on a regular basis, I know that they compare notes on which pieces they are practicing, how far along they are in their methods books, which Greyson Chance song they are singing, etc. I always stress to my students that everyone progresses at their own pace, but an extra boost of motivation is not a bad thing.
I know that most kids are under a lot of pressure when it comes to school and other activities, which is why I do all that I can to make music lessons an enjoyable experience. The fact that being back in school gives them that extra focus and dedication they need to continue increasing their skill level? Well that just makes my job even better, if that is even possible.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
One of the things I secretly look forward to at each lesson I teach is hearing the clever (and sometimes not-so-clever) excuses my students come up with to explain why they haven’t practiced.
I think I get such a kick out of them because I was once in their shoes: a busy kid who really wanted to excel at an instrument — piano, in my case — but just didn’t always have the motivation to do the work. I always had a handy excuse up my sleeve for my wonderfully patient piano teacher (she was a nun, after all!) and now I’m on the other side of the coin.
Since the fall session has just begun, I’ve heard some doozies after asking the dreaded question, “So have you had a chance to practice over the break?” Here are a couple of my favorites over the past two (just two!) days:
I really wanted to practice, but I had to go school supply shopping.
School supply shopping can be so overwhelming! :)
I know I was supposed to work on my chords, but I was busy writing my own songs instead. 10 of them!
Okay, this one was good.
My dad was watching TV and I didn’t want to bother him.
Mind you, this student’s dad attends every lesson, is extremely involved, and tracks his son’s practice.
The week is still young, so I have lots more excuses to look forward to in the coming days. I think I have mastered the art of balancing validation with encouragement; discipline is not my forte. How do you handle the excuses presented by your students? And please feel free to add any doozies you’ve heard to my list!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Monday was a tough day. I had to say goodbye to two of my very first students ever as a professional music therapist. Addy was only a few months old when she started participating in my music therapy group, and Jordynn, her big sister, was my #1 helper during our group time as well as a piano student.
Fast forward four years. Their family is moving, so Monday was our last day together. You would think I’d have been more well-equipped to say goodbye after just doing so to over 100 students when I left my job at The Hope Institute, but I wasn’t. As hard as I tried not to cry, I was unsuccessful. I have just come to accept the fact that I’m no good at farewells!
I can’t imagine how hard it is to be a classroom teacher, having to say goodbye to an entire class of students every single year. The perk of being a music therapist and studio teacher is working long-term with the same students, and getting to watch them grow up and reach all kinds of milestones.
I know there are more goodbyes in my future, because that’s life…but that doesn’t make them any easier.
